CASALE DI FIESOLE Near Florence, Tuscany Owners' special connections give you access to some of the great villas and art collections nearby. Having Rosella serve dinner under the pergola fragrant with climbing jasmine. Casale di Fiesole is a delightful villa in all the right ways. You are a short, beautiful drive to Fiesole, Settignano, and Compiobbi, all places for dining and shopping. Florence is an easy drive of 20 minutes or an equally easy trainride. The house is elegantly well appointed, beautifully maintained and of an appealing size and layout that works for many different group configurations.
CASALE DI FIESOLE OVERVIEW Casale di Fiesole is a delightful villa in all the right ways. To reach it by car is easy and free of dirt road driving. You are a short and beautiful drive to Fiesole, Settignano, Compiobbi and Sieci, all of them places for dining, shopping and meandering. Perhaps most importantly for anyone familiar with the crowded outskirts of Florence, the city is an easy and direct drive of 20 minutes or an equally easy train-ride from Compiobbi. The house itself is elegantly appointed, beautifully maintained and the size and layout works especially well for families. The housekeeper/cook speaks English takes pride in the house and will happily prepare real Tuscan feasts using skills she learned from her mother and grandmother the traditional way. Casale di Fiesole was originally a farmhouse, believed to have been built around 1875 by owners important enough to have the house blessed by the powerful Vescovo family. The high ceilings, square rooms and larger windows are some of the benefits of this more modern era, although the entrance level with its remaining open archways remind you that pigs, cows and horses once lived here too. The building was divided into two homes in the years following World War II and remains so to this day; one half is being rented as Casale di Fiesole but there are no residents next door so you have absolute privacy on the grounds. About 50 years ago a two-story addition was added to create what is today the stunning sunroom/living room and master bedroom suite. What you experience today at Casale di Fiesole reflects the thoughtful investment of the current owners who spent some four years upgrading it for their own use and continue to invest in the property. The hillside setting of Casale di Fiesole has been developed sensitively to create gracious outdoor l iving and today the property offers an exceptionally lovely garden and pool area. The olive grove has been tended and is being supplemented and developed with four varieties of fruit-bearing trees. You can pick fruit from an orchard of 50 trees depending on what is in season during your stay and a new terrace is being created for maximum enjoyment of sunsets. A large shady pergola in the garden, two hammocks under the umbrella pines, plus the newly added furnishings at the pool give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Casale di Fiesole is graced with newly updated bathrooms and large airy rooms with both window screens and air conditioning. The living room is a fabulous and unique feature of the house, with both a lovely seating area and a gracious dining area in a room ringed in windows for exceptional light and views in all seasons. Casale di Fiesole is as good a choice for off-season with radiant floor heating and working fireplace. Situated on a southwest-facing hillside you enjoy a dynamic and interesting view, encompassing the village of Sieci down by the river, plus the farms and woodlands of neighbors to the south and west. The vista includes handsome unrestored stone farmhouses from earlier centuries, adding to the unspoiled nature of this location. Casale di Fiesole is well suited to those who want to combine easy touring options with a relaxed, tranquil countryside setting; a highly desirable but not easily achievable combination.
CASALE DI FIESOLE GROUNDS 320 SQ METERS INDOORS 1.2 HECTARES OUTDOORS GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR Front patio with informal seating for four underneath towering umbrella pines. Lovely large pergola fragrant with climbing jasmine and wisteria provides comfortable seating for nine plus a dining table for eight; open wood-fired barbecue for traditional Tuscan-style meals; sink with running water. Expansive fruit orchard. Lower terrace with pool (16 x 5 meters, 4 to 6.5 meters deep, stairs at both ends) below banked perennial bed with lavender and rosemary; outdoor shower (cold water only), sun beds, umbrella, teak dining table and chairs for 8 under a shade tree; expansive views; illuminated at night. High arched entry way with guest bath. Stairs to first floor painted with fruit trees and birds. Leonardo: Double Bedroom (queen) with sitting area for two before west-facing double doors leading to front patio; ensuite bath (large shower with seat, and bathtub) with marble countertop lit from below and towel warmer; view to garden. Galileo: Double bedroom (twins/king) with northfacing window; narrow ensuite bath (shower stall) with towel warmer. Guest bath and service area. Central hallway with several lovely antiques and objets d'art. Exceptional and spacious living/dining room with seating for eight before large working fireplace; separate dining area for eight; beautifully furnished with antique and contemporary upholstered pieces and art; room is surrounded by windows on three sides with lovely views of countryside, garden and pool area below. Separate den with desk (computer and printer provided). Bookshelves offer range of guidebooks and books on Italy for guests' reference. TV with American DVD and CD player. Seating for four. Well equipped kitchen with marble top work station that doubles as informal dining area for two with stools; room for several cooks to work together; doors open directly to bridge to dining pergola. Dante: Double bedroom (queen) with north-facing view. Private bathroom (large shower stall) with marble finishes, and double sinks. Vespucci: Double bedroom (king/twins) with antique sleigh beds, ceiling fan. Private bathroom (shower stall and tub with Jacuzzi, washing machine) with marble counter tops, double sinks.
CASALE DI FIESOLE WHAT'S NEARBY Compiobbi (train) less than 5 minutes by car Florence 20 minutes by car or train San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Chianti (Ugolino Golf Course) 25-30 minutes Florence Airport 30 minutes Siena, San Gimignano 40 minutes Greve-in-Chianti, Cortona, Lucca, Arezzo 45 minutes Pisa Airport 1 1/2 hours, Rome Airport: 3 hours ITINERARY RECOMMENDATIONS In Florence, visit the ultramodern new opera house, the historic Mercato Centrale market with the region's top food artisans, and any of the new hip restaurants that seem to be opening daily. A private tour of Villa La Pietra, bequeathed by Sir Harold Acton. At night it is candlelit and hosts concerts such as Jazz in June. Settignano is home to Villa Gamberaia, arguably one of Italy's most important gardens and worth a visit. Fiesole has a charming piazza, Roman Theatre and plays host to summer music concerts. For an insider's tour of Florence, avoid the long lines and let us organize privately guided tours of the Uffizi, Accademia and Bargello museums. We can arrange wine- and cheese-tasting with a professional Sommelier, cooking classes and Italian lessons at Casale di Fiesole. The location of Casale di Fiesole is ideal for visiting the famed Chianti region, including the towns of Greve, Panzano, Radda, Castellina. The villages of Galuzzo and Tavernuzze are just beyond, each of which boasts a fabulous bakery, among other things.
CASALE DI FIESOLE WHAT TO KNOW Housekeeper/cook speaks English and is very helpful and an excellent cook. Complimentary WiFi. Please note there is not consistent coverage throughout the property. Please discuss your particular connectivity needs before booking. There is also a computer in Studio for clients use. Window screens on all bedroom windows plus two in the living room for cross ventilation. Excellent off-season rental with comfortable radiant floor heating. TRAVELING WITH HOMEBASE ABROAD Homebase Abroad rates include our professional guidance and comprehensive travel planning - including preparation of your itinerary - for your time at your chosen villa. All arrangements are customized to the specific interests, needs and preferences of you and your guests. We draw from our extensive network of direct contacts as well as our personal travel experiences in Italy. Neighborhood cat occasionally visits but does not come indoors. Please inquire for special opportunities to tour private art collections, gardens and studios. The villa structure is a two-family home but guests have absolute privacy. All the spaces described as included in the rental of Casale di Fiesole are private to the house. The neighbors are not in residence when the house is rented. Saturday- Saturday rentals only, June - September. Some flexibility in other months. Arrival time is 4 pm- 5 pm; departure time is 10 am. Washing machine available for guests' use. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Homebase Abroad Concierge who is available to you throughout your villa stay, and will be your first point of contact for any questions and additional requests regarding both your villa and itinerary. We are delighted to assist with travel planning for pre- or postvilla stays in Italy for you and your guests. Please contact us directly to discuss the applicable fees.
CASALE DI FIESOLE INCLUDED: HEAT GAS ELECTRICITY WATER AIR CONDITIONING Bedrooms Only TELEPHONE/FAX local calls only INTERNET Highspeed internet access on villa computer, and via WiFi CLEANING 4 hours maid service 6 days per week, (Mon-Sat), including personal laundry LINEN CHANGE Bed & bath linens changed Wed & Sat; each guest gets two sets of towels twice per week PERSONAL LAUNDRY washing & folding done on Mon & Thurs WELCOME DINNER Courtesy of the owner ADVANCE SHOPPING SERVICE Fridge stocked w/basics, incl coffee, milk, eggs, cheese, juice, bottled water, fruit on arrival. WELCOME GIFT Welcome reception of Prosecco, nuts, fruits and canapes. AVAILABLE: TELEPHONE/FAX long distance phone calls charged at cost CLEANING Additional cleaning 15 per hour PERSONAL LAUNDRY ironing is 15 per hour; excessive laundry 15 per hour BREAKFAST On request at 8 per person LUNCH Lunch/ Dinner on request; prices are per person including Food & cooking: 8 breakfast; 30 lunch/dinner for adults, 25 child under 12 - these are meals prepared & left. For staff to stay and plate, clean up, etc: 15 per hour for cook, 12 for service staff (Danny). DINNER Lunch/ Dinner on request; prices are per person including Food & cooking: 8 breakfast; 30 lunch/dinner for adults, 25 child under 12 - these are meals prepared & left. For staff to stay and plate, clean up, etc: 15 per hour for cook, 12 for service staff (Danny). PROVISIONS Food and beverage are Extras SHOPPING SERVICE 15 per hour plus receipts COOKING CLASSES for 2 persons 90/person; 3/4 persons 75/person; for 5/8 persons 65/person; wines not included. ITALIAN LESSONS Rosella's daughter (a teacher), 20/ hour for 1 person - 25/ hour for 2 persons - 25,00+ 5,00 for each additional person CHILD CARE 18 per hour PRINTED: 9/24/2018